Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-09-30

shifted. Sue carried big gingham
umbrella, which tapped in the wind
like a yellow sail; Kittie held valiant
ly on to big earthen crock filed
with butter and bound to the viii
lage storekeeper, and | temporarily
handled the reins We had no whip,
we had long ago found it to be d
matter of utter Indifference to the
mare whether we wished to go slow
or fast, and the sight of the old girl
playing tag on the village green or
skipping q rope in the stable-yard
would have given US less surprise
than to behold her break from her
hippety-hop gait.
We reached the village, deposited
the butter, took in exchange mighty
jug of molasses, gathered in the mail,
carefully counting it ell over to be
snre OF no mistake: the Baptist Week
ly. the AdUocate and Guardian, the
Western Beacon, the Southern Clar-
ION; yes, ALL were there; and we labor
icusly turned the old mare and start
ed her for home. The breeze had
flown away, like belated bird to join
its flock, and the sun was as ardent
as grandma had prophesied.
"Oh, hurry ber up!" said /, finding
the ecstasy of holding the molasses-
jug to my breast palling upon me,
DO for Heavens sake hit her with
the umbrella, Kit; Pm scorching"
"l'm afr aid she might kick Don't
you do it," said Sue, whose grasp on
the lines was rather languid.
Here, give it to me-" said l reach
ing over and snatchiDg at the umbrel-
la; wish to gracious she would run;
it's the only thing to keep US from
suIstroke."
But my first whack with the UNI
brella was met with a gentle flourish
of the old mares tail, as though
dreamily mindful of settling fly, at
the same moment a strange voice
said:
Shall | get out and lead her for
you? or would you wait long enough
for me to get charge of dynamite
and tie it to the dashboard"
We looked behind Us, end there, i'll
a gossamer sulky drawn by q satin
skinned bay, sat a strarge young
man. Nothing like HIM had ever
met our eyes out of Boston He
was immaculate as to linen and bea-
yer, and upon his shapely hand glis-
tened, like chip of the radiant sun,
an undoubted diamond.
The girls nudged me, as the ever
ready; but for once surprise had seal
ed my tongue.
II should hardly have thought"
said the mocking voice again, chat
such lovely cargo would have been
intrusted to such reckless steed.
"We're holding her in," said Sue.
"Sbe wants to go, bpt it's too warm
TO give her her head"
"Ah," said the unknown, "the um-
brella then was then used only as a
check to her frantic ambition"
shaded my face behind the molas-
ses Jug, the umbrella descended like
pali above our young heads, and the
dust of the tormenter's flying WHEELS
blew in our faces rs his light WHEELS
flashed by. He went at rattling
pace up the level stretch of road,
then turned and approached US, tip
ping his hat jaun.ily rs he again fell
to tie rear.
AS the sound Of his horses rattlng
| pace came uD the road once more to
oYertake Us G strange transformation
began in the old mare Her ears
pricked up like q squirrels before the
wind Her tail futtered out like the
| spume OF an angry sea Her head
went up and snort Ike the Llass Of
the trumpet rent the air
Good gracious!' said Kit. "she's
mad | can't hold her"
With the first shock | had prompt
ly dropped the molasse, jug, and its
contents were strewing the road with
stiTened gore The umbrella sailed
out of Sues hands and went to join
| the the heavenly consultations.
She's got the bit between her
teeth, ''sang Kit. "She's running
away !"
"Give her head Let her go! Go
lang my beauty p shouted |.
II can't hold on. 'I'm falling OUT
shrieked Sue.
"Hold on to the seat! cried |.
Well get in ahead of that mare or
die"
Faster and faster few the mare.
The road behind her unrolled like an
old.gold ribbon fringed with flame.
The sound of her breathing was like
the advance of brass band. One
glance oyer my shoulder showed the
stranger two lengths behind and
breathing heavily.
"Get'epl Fly ! Scatter Go long
forever That's my nice GIRL Oh,
my beauty !" shouted | to the mare.
She made white streak of herself.
She leaped through tho dust like II
rubber ball looked over my shoul,
der again. three lengths behind and
losing.
In the road before us appeared
band of familiar forms waving milk
pans and Shouting whoa p
But the marc, regardless OF the
voice to which she had Listened 80
many years, dartcd by the restrain.
ing group that sou2ht to restrain her
and bravely passed the second quar-
| ter
A last glimpse over my shoulder
discovered the the total back,iown Of
OF the strange horse, which had turn
ed tail and disappearing down tie
road.
The old mare died that night, but
she died in blaze of glory, as II
victorious warrior dies on the battle.
field his prowess has won She liv
ed long enough to accept sugar
from our hands to n cloying extent
and think her brave equninc spirit,
appreciated our homage and tender
Illustrations to the last,
after al, - said Kit, "she brought
her fate upon herself. | could not
hold her in"
And would not have done 80 if
could,n said l. I'd rather die as shc
did than live to beaten"
/